Tim Forbes, superintendent of streets for the city of Aurora, was part of a three-man crew Saturday that installed motion-activated security lights on residences as part of the new "Light up the Neighborhood" initiative.

Tim Forbes, superintendent of streets for the city of Aurora, was part of a three-man crew Saturday that installed motion-activated security lights on residences as part of the new "Light up the Neighborhood" initiative. (Linda Girardi / The Beacon-News)

Volunteers installed motion-activated security lights on residences in three wards in Aurora on Saturday as part of the city's annual Day of Service project.

Aurora partnered with Rebuilding Together Aurora in a new "Light up the Neighborhood" initiative, which seeks to illuminate residential alley areas that are dark at night and create opportunities for crime.

The city was awarded a $10,000 grant through the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus and ComEd to partially fund the purchase of 130 LED solar-powered motion-detector lights distributed free of charge to residents.

The city targeted areas within the 2nd, 3rd and 4th wards, identified by the Aurora Police Department as having a higher rate of criminal activity.

Dan Barreiro, Aurora's chief community services officer, said the city spread the word about the availability of lights through Aurora's Neighborhood Watch programs and ward aldermen. The Aurora Police Department's community-oriented police officers also let residents know.

Barreiro said they concentrated on neighborhoods with alleyways, where there can be pockets of darkness even with street lights.

"Our objective is to help residents deter crime and make the community safer," he said. "We look at all different avenues. This program is one of those tools we can utilize."

Rebuilding Together Aurora, a nonprofit that provides eligible homeowners with health and safety structural modifications and energy-efficiency upgrades, researched motion-detector lights and negotiated a favorable discount with City Electric Supply of Montgomery.

Linda Girardi / The Beacon-News

Aurora University students Shayla Fleming, from left, Taylor Joiner and Beth Robbins review a list of homes where they were assigned to install motion-activated security lights as part of Aurora's annual Day of Service project.

Aurora University students Shayla Fleming, from left, Taylor Joiner and Beth Robbins review a list of homes where they were assigned to install motion-activated security lights as part of Aurora's annual Day of Service project. (Linda Girardi / The Beacon-News)

The organization had 12 teams of volunteers comprised of community volunteers and Aurora University students.

A three-man crew from the city of Aurora street department installed 13 of the lights in the 2nd and 4th wards, where it was anticipated a bucket truck might be needed.

"The project began as an idea that really took flight," Rebuilding Together Aurora Executive Director Heather Binder said.

"When we laid out our installation plan with the Police Department's maps of recent criminal incidents, they lined up almost perfectly with each other," Binder said. "These lights are truly being installed in neighborhoods where there is a higher need."

Homeowners were given a choice to either install the units themselves or to have volunteers do it for them.

Saturday's crews installed 73 lights, 46 of which were in the 3rd Ward, including 10 units in the 800-1000 block of Talma Street. The 2nd Ward received 16 lights, and the 4th Ward received 11.

Among the volunteers were all the members of Aurora University's women's soccer team. Players Shayla Fleming, 20, of Phoenix, Ariz., Taylor Joiner, 19, of Freeport, and Beth Robbins, 21, of Upland, Calif., installed three units in the 400 block of Weston Avenue.

"We all have pretty much the same skill sets with the hand tools. We would say that we're at the intermediate level," Fleming said. "You just have to make sure the LED-powered shield is properly facing sunlight."

"People have been appreciative of the help," Fleming said.

Said Robbins: "It's gratifying that we are doing something that helps people."

A city street department crew helped install a light on the back of Jose Huante's house in the 700 block of Claim Street.

"This is an opportunity to improve the security around my house with more lights," Haunte said. "It probably would have been difficult for me to put up the light. They know what they are doing."

Ald. Ted Mesiacos, 3rd, praised Aurora Community Services for bringing the program to their attention and securing the grant.

"The beauty about these solar-powered, motion-activated lights is that residents can help improve the quality of life in their neighborhood without any cost to them," Mesiacos said.